Advising & Mentoring
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Academic advising by Stanford faculty is a critical component of all graduate students’ education.
The nature of advising varies across disciplines and degrees as well as at different stages in a degree program. By university policy (see GAP 3.3 Academic Advising), faculty advisors are to:
- serve as intellectual and professional mentors to their graduate students
- provide knowledgeable support concerning the academic and non-academic policies that pertain to graduate students
- help to prepare students to be competitive for employment
- maintain a high level of professionalism in the relationship
- establish and collaboratively maintain expectations of the adviser/advisee relationship, consistent with departmental standards
All faculty-student advising relationships are based on a common set of values, goals, and responsibilities, outlined below.
In these pages, you can find Advising Policies and Advising Practices & Resources.
Students and faculty may be interested in resources and opportunities to engage in more holistic personal and professional mentoring, listed in Mentoring Resources.
Shared Values, Shared Goals & Shared Responsibilities
Shared Values
- Educational excellence
- Academic and research integrity
- Spirit of exploration and collaboration
- Respect and care for others
- Professionalism in all aspects of advising relationships
Shared Goals
- Academic progress and graduation of student or appointment completion for postdoctoral scholar
- Mastery of the subject material
- Advancement of knowledge and skills
- Professional development and personal growth
- Career success and satisfaction
Shared Responsibilities
- Uphold and abide by program, department, school, and university policies
- Maintain a respectful and inclusive learning environment
- Abide by highest professional standards
- Foster a culture of open and honest communication and collaboration
- Use Stanford resources appropriately